Google to pay Canada $74 million annually
Canada and Google have struck a deal to maintain news in search results, with Google agreeing to pay C$100 million annually to Canadian news publishers.
This agreement addresses Google's concerns about Canada's Online News Act, which mandates large internet companies to share ad revenue with news publishers.
Heritage Minister Pascale St-Onge announced the deal following productive talks, noting its alignment with the Online News Act, effective since June. This Act is part of a global movement to compel internet giants to compensate for news content.
Google, which had threatened to block news over the law's stringent demands, confirmed its commitment to keeping news accessible in Canada. In contrast, Meta Platforms has blocked news sharing on Facebook and Instagram, citing similar concerns.
St-Onge praised the deal as proof of the law's effectiveness and urged Facebook to reconsider its stance. She also stated that Canada could revisit the agreement if more favorable deals emerge globally.
Last month, Google agreed to pay German publishers 3.2 million euros annually for their news content. Meanwhile, Meta's spokesperson reiterated their unchanged stance against the Act.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and News Media Canada CEO Paul Deegan welcomed the agreement, emphasizing its global significance and the fair compensation for publishers. The Canadian Broadcasting Corp initially reported this development.
